Then Achmed took the new sovereign by the right hand, and personally conducted him into the chamber of the Mantle of the Prophet.  There, standing in front of the throne, he took from his hand the diamond clasp, the symbol of dominion, and with his own hand fastened it to the turban of the new Sultan, and placing his hand upon his head, solemnly blessed him.

“Rule and prosper!  May those thou lovest love thee also, and may those that thou hatest fear thee.  Be glorious and powerful while thou livest, and may men bless thy name and magnify thy memory when thou art dead!”

Then Achmed and his children thrice did obeisance to Mahmud, whereupon taking his two youngest sons by the hand, with a calm and quiet dignity, he quitted the halls of dominion which he was never to behold again, abandoning, one after another, every single thing which had hitherto been so dear to him.

In the Hall of Audience he gave up the Sword of the Prophet to the Silihdar, who unbuckled it from his body, and when he came to the door leading to the harem he handed over his children to the Kizlar-Aga, telling him to greet the Sultana Asseki in his name, and bid her remember him and teach his little children their father’s name.

For henceforth he will see no more his sharp sword, or the fair Adsalis, or the other dear damsels, or his darling children.  He must remain for ever far away from them behind the walls of a dungeon.  A deposed Sultan has nought whatever to do with swords or wives or children.  The same fate befell Mustapha II. six-and-twenty years before.  He also had to part with his sword, his wives, and his children in just the same way.  And this Achmed had good cause to remember, for then it was that he ascended the throne.  And now he, in his turn, descended from the throne, and now that had happened to him for his successor’s sake which had happened to his predecessor for his sake.

* * * * *

But the great men of the realm bowed their heads to the ground before Sultan Mahmud and did him homage.

The long procession of those who came to do him obeisance filled all the apartments of the Seraglio and lasted till midnight.  The whole Court bent head and knee before the new Sultan, and the chief officers of state, the clergy, and the eunuchs followed suit.  Only the captains of the host and Halil Patrona still remained behind.

Hastily written letters were dispatched to all the captains and to all the rebels, informing them that Sultan Achmed had been deposed and Sultan Mahmud was reigning in his stead; let them all come, therefore, at dawn of day next morning and do homage to the new Padishah.

The moon had long been high in the heavens and was shining through the coloured windows of the Seraglio when the magnates withdrew and Mahmud remained alone.

Only the Kizlar-Aga awaited his pleasure—­the Kizlar-Aga whose sooty face seemed to cast a black shadow upon itself.